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Iconographic Meaning

The cloud pattern on the jade is a symbol of long life.

Description

A flat hairpin made of gold-coloured metal tapering to an irregular point. A raised flower and an engraved stem decorate the pin. Above the flower, the pin widens into three discs, one above the other, each edged with a circle of tiny raised flowers. A small insect or flower shape is on the border between the discs. The top, and the bottom discs are inset with flat green stones while the middle disc is inset with a rounded red-orange stone. The uppermost green stone is incised with a curvilinear pattern. Chinese characters stamped on the back which is flat.

History Of Use

In the early and middle Chosun Dynasty, such hairpins were important, as they were worn in the hair at the front. In the late Chosun Dynasty they were worn at the back of the head, inserted into the woman’s bun created by braiding her hair and wrapping it around a long hairpin. They were also used by women to part their hair, and to clean their ears. The motifs used on hairpins most commonly were chrysanthemum, lotus, butterfly, and peach. The materials used could be coral, green jade, silver, or pearls.